Solving Tough Industrial Scanning Jobs with Zebra’s FS80 Fixed Scanner

Learn how to solve the toughest scanning jobs with Zebra’s FS80 for faster decoding, more illumination, longer range, and deeper and wider fields of view.

Solving Tough Industrial Scanning Jobs with Zebra’s FS80 Fixed Scanner

In today’s high-speed manufacturing and logistics, barcode scanning is critical for track-and-trace, quality assurance, and efficient, accurate automation. However, many fixed industrial scanners often fall short in capturing barcodes on high-speed lines, at long read distances, and with wider or deeper fields of view.

Fortunately, there’s now a powerful new solution that solves all of these challenges and meets the toughest scanning requirements—all with one device that can actually reduce your hardware requirements and costs while simplifying your job setup.

Zebra’s FS80 fixed industrial scanner is a breakthrough new device that’s designed to tackle the toughest scanning, tracking and traceability challenges with significant advancements that make it easier to scan under almost any condition.

The FS80’s big improvements over other devices include:

• Faster decode performance for high-throughput environments.
• High-powered, built-in, multifunctional illumination for superior readability.
• Wider field of view for larger scan zones.
• Extended read distances to capture farther targets.
• Increased depth of field for flexibility in placement.

These features allow the FS80 to solve the most difficult scanning requirements while replacing multiple traditional scanners or added lighting and external lenses. This, in turn, helps cut down on hardware, simplify setup, and lower your overall costs.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the key advancements and capabilities on the FS80 that make all of this happen.

Enhanced Illumination for Scanning on High-Speed Conveyors

At the core of the FS80’s performance is Zebra’s Integrated Multifunction Light (ZIML), which vastly improves barcode readability, especially on fast-moving conveyors. The ZIML:

• Enables shorter exposure times for faster scanning.
• Illuminates wider areas and longer distances.
• Is available in white, red, or infrared light options.
• Includes a dual-laser aimer to simplify installation and alignment.
• Provides adjustable settings for visual and audible feedback.

Designed for Maximum Flexibility

The FS80 doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it offers numerous customization options to meet your specific scanning requirements:

Multiple Lens Options and Aimers

To add to its reliable scanning power and flexibility, the FS80 also offers multiple options for lensing and aimers, plus additional lens accessories, so you can use this device to handle virtually any challenging job. Your options include:

• 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 25 mm and 35mm C-mount lenses.
• Lens accessories available for polarization and bandwidth color filtering.
• Dual-laser aimer on the integrated light for quick and precise alignment.

Flexible Illumination Settings

With Zebra’s ZILM multifunctional light and other illumination options, you get further tools and features to improve your lighting and barcode capabilities, including:

• Configurable LED fan angles of 20°, 40°, 60° and 80°.
• Optimized lighting direction for best decode performance.
• Integrated lighting in white, red or infrared.

Polarizer Cover

If you need to scan barcodes and capture data when there’s glare from reflecting surfaces, shrink-wrap covering labels, or other issues can disrupt your scanning, Zebra has that covered as well. An optional polarizer offers several key capabilities:

• Removal of reflections from ambient and LED lighting.
• Improved reading performance on reflective or glossy surfaces.
• Reliable scanning of labels under plastic films such as shrink-wrap.
• More flexible mounting by allowing mounts at 90° to the target surface.

Detachable Mounting Bracket

There’s also a secure, easy-to-use detachable mounting bracket for the FS80 that allows for quick removal and reinstallation. It simplifies device maintenance without compromising alignment.

Ultimate Connectivity and Integration

The FS80 supports seamless integration into your existing operations with several key features:

• Real-time digital I/O connections for automation device interfacing.
• GigE, USB and VGA video outputs for flexible system integration.

Versatility Across Many Scanning Applications

One of the things our automation systems experts and design engineers love about the FS80 is its adaptability. It can serve virtually any industrial scanning application, including:

• Single-camera and multi-sided scanning.
• High-speed conveyor scanning.
• Scan tunnels.
• Dock-door scanning.
• Forklift-mounted scanning.
• Product aggregation.
• Print-and-apply labeling.
• Overhead packing scans.
• Many other use cases.

Rugged Durability in Harsh Environments

Of course, if you’re engaged in fixed industrial scanning, there’s a good chance that your scanners are operating in tough environments where dust, dirt and water could be a threat. So, Zebra designs and builds the FS80 with a few important protections to keep your scanners running without potentially costly damage or disruptions:

• Water-resistant and dustproof construction for reliable performance in demanding environments.
• Sturdy IP67-rated housing and robust M12 connectors for external interfaces.
• Standard C-mount lenses with dust- and liquid-proof caps.

JavaScript-Enabled Development

If you’re developing your own scanning applications and solutions, Zebra’s Aurora Focus software comes with JavaScript support, so you can:

• Quickly implement custom data formatting directly on the FS80.
• Edit scripts with IntelliSense and a debug console.
• Access a full collection of development tools, frameworks, and resources.

This makes it easy to tailor scanner behavior to specific operational needs without modifying back-end systems.

Real-Time Feedback and Monitoring

To enhance productivity and reduce errors, the FS80 includes visual and audible performance indicators:

• Configurable 360° red and green status LEDs for immediate feedback.
• Immediately visible and easy-to-read feedback from afar.
• Adjustable loudspeaker settings for audible feedback in the noisiest places.

HMI Dashboard for Added Flexibility

Using the FS80 and Zebra’s Aurora software, managing devices doesn't have to be complex or hardware-heavy. With the Aurora HMI dashboard, you can:

• Monitor all your devices from any single browser.
• See real-time device status, performance and diagnostics.
• Reduce costs with no need for a PC at each workstation.

Evaluating the FS80 for Your Scanning Requirements

Zebra’s FS80 fixed industrial scanner is redefining what’s possible in automated barcode scanning with faster decode performance, more powerful illumination, farther reading distances, wider fields of view, and greater depths of field.

But, to see if this device is right for your scanning applications, check out our Zebra FS80 spec sheet or product page. Contact our experts at Motion Automation Intelligence for a walkthrough, recommendations and answers to any of your questions.